Rockefeller Tree Now Returning to Hudson Valley

The Rockefeller Christmas tree is coming down on Saturday, but in a unique turn of events it will now be traveling back to the Hudson Valley.

The tree, which originally came from Gardiner, has ended its service as the world's most famous Christmas tree. On January 9, however, the Norway Spruce will begin it's second life as it travels back to the Hudson Valley.

Crews will remove the tree from Rockefeller Center this weekend and donate the wood to Habitat for Humanity. According to a press release by the charitable organization, all of this year's donated lumber will be used to build homes for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh.

The practice of donating wood from the tree started from a partnership in 2005 when volunteers in Rockefeller Plaza helped frame houses for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. In 2007 wood cut from the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Center was first donated to Habitat for Humanity. Every year since then the Christmas trees have been used to help build homes for low-income families. Donations have been sent to Pascagoula, Mississippi; Stamford, Connecticut; Morris, New Jersey and New York City.

This year, however, it seems appropriate that the tree will be coming home to help families right here in Newburgh. You might say that it's a perfect ending for a tree that has brought so much pride and joy to the Hudson Valley.